June 2020
Chicagoland Baptists,
It looks like we’re moving to Phase 4 of reopening this Friday! We’re praying for safety and wisdom for you in the decisions to be made in the days ahead. We still have hundreds of gallons of disinfectant that you can have. Let us know if we can help in any way.
Here is the link for our weekly Prayer Call tomorrow (6/24) at 9:00 AM (331-218-1983 | Conference ID: 518 941 804#). We will be doing something a little different this time.
Recently, many of us have engaged in conversations about racism. Several of us have reported that those conversations were draining and in some cases unproductive. Because we know that more conversations will occur in the coming weeks and as a way to sort of re-group and build one another up, this Wednesday we will extend our time to allow space for Q&A on the topic. This will simply be a time of iron sharpening iron, peer-to-peer learning, and loving expression where everyone can ask questions of one another so that we will all be better equipped to speak to the issues in places where we minister.
In order to help get the conversation going, we would ask that everyone come with one or two questions/concerns/frustrations you have been wrestling with. All questions are welcome. Don’t be afraid to go deep.
Here’s someone to know about – Pastor Lawrence Haskin. Lawrence has been married to Sylvia for 36 years and they have two adult sons, one daughter-in-law, and two grandsons.
Together they planted Household of Faith 20 years ago in Markham on the foundation of prayer and the Word of God, with the vision of helping people grow in a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ and his Church. Lawrence has been preaching since age 17. Sylvia, an accomplished musician and school teacher, is a daughter of the late Pastor Sylvester Coleman.
Lawrence and Sylvia are strong believers that grace and accountability in the context of community are indispensable to effective discipleship. For the past several years Lawrence has been on renewed mission to see God’s people live emotionally and spiritually healthy after his own struggle with burnout and undiagnosed depression. He is currently leading his congregation on a pursuit of what Peter Scazzero calls ‘emotionally healthy spirituality.’ The premise is that “you cannot be spiritually mature while remaining emotionally immature.”
Lawrence is committed to helping other pastors recover from or avoid the deep burnout he experienced.
In addition, Lawrence also works to help men of color experience healing of their wounds through weekend experiences of radical truth and grace. Most recently, he has been working with Black, Brown, and White men on racial understanding and reconciliation.
Here are some events to know about –
· We’re very excited about a one-night, online event for our youth that we are putting on Friday, July 10th. You can RSVP for the livestream here. Please help us spread the word! And in the meantime, enjoy listening to Philip Allen’s music (or tell your kids about it).
Here’s something else to know about – As a cooperating IBSA church you have at your service The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention. They not only represent our churches’ values and interests to policy makers, but also equip churches on how to engage in the public square. On their website you can find helpful resources on topics like coronavirus and ministry, racism, and recent Supreme Court activity.
For His Glory,
Bryan R. Price
Zone 1 Church Consultant
Church Resources Team
Illinois Baptist State Association – Chicago
630-908-0853 (Cell)
Nathan Carter
Zone 1 Church Consultant
Church Resources Team
Illinois Baptist State Association – Chicago
312-493-3726 (Cell)